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A start was not made until four o'clock, and having lost the toss, Wales
kicked off against the wind and sun. After a mild attack, which Oakley
cleared, Wales were compelled to act upon the defensive. Jones fisted out
a shot by Bloomer, and Goodall spoiled a chance by getting off-side. A
strong attack was kept up in the Welsh goal, and once Goodall cleared the
home backs, but shot badly. In turn Bloomer and Sandilands shot at goal,
but each time Jones cleared in good style. It was evident that sooner or
later the strong attack of the Englishmen must be successful, and after
less than 15 minutes' play, Smith, out of some loose play, sent the ball
into the net. On continuing, the ball settled down in the Welsh half, and
try as they would, the home men could not get the ball away. For several
minutes the game proceeded without incident, but at length Sandilands got
away and kicked across, and Bloomer put the ball through. After this
second reverse the Welshmen played in better style, and their forwards
reached the English goal, the ball going behind. The game, however, was
soon back in the Welsh half, Bassett racing away and securing a corner. By
clever play, Crabtree maintained the attack, and after Jones had finely
stopped a shot by Bloomer, he was beaten by Bassett, who scored the third
goal for England. For a little while afterwards the play was more even,
the Welsh forwards putting in some good work. Sandilands at length dashed
away, and with a beautiful centre enabled Bloomer to add another goal.
After this the Welsh forwards got away, and Raikes, in saving, had to
concede a corner. The Welshmen were still attacking, when Bassett got the
ball, and by some beautiful work he and Bloomer carried the play right to
the other end. Arridge and Parry cleared, but directly afterwards Crawshaw
started some clever passing, which was ended by Smith kicking a goal a
minute or two later. Half time was called, and England crossed over
leading by five goals to one.
With the wind now at their backs the Welsh team opened the second half in
encouraging manner, but were unable to maintain their position. Smith and
Goodall broke away, but Bassett got off-side. A minute later Bloomer sent
the ball into the net, Jones making a poor attempt to stop it. A foul by
Crawshaw placed the English goal in danger, but Oakley cleared, and
directly afterwards Jones, the Welsh goalkeeper, had to handle. After some
even play Morris and Lewis got away, and forcer two corners. From one of
these England had a narrow escape, Raikes fisting out cleverly. 'Hands'
were given against England near their goal, and from the kick of Parry
Chapman put the ball through, scoring the first and only goal to Wales.
The Welsh forwards again attacked, but unwisely shot from a long distance.
They gained corners, but met with no success. The English forwards broke
away, and Smith had the goal at his mercy, but slipped in the act of
shooting, while directly afterwards Bloomer headed over the bar. The Welsh
goalkeeper was now hard pressed, and once he was beaten by Bassett, but
the goal was disallowed. Then the Welsh forwards dashed away suddenly, and
Meredith, close in, sent in a hard shot, which Raikes fisted out in a
marvellous manner. This was the last serious attack on the English goal,
and during the last quarter of an hour the visitors had matters all their
own way. Smith ran down the centre, and passed to Goodall, who, with a
swift shot, gave Jones no chance. This reverse seemed to take all the
spirit out of the Welshmen, and their defence broke down completely.
Bassett and Bloomer ran the ball down, and the latter finished up with a
successful shot, while a minute or two before the close the Derby County
forward kicked the ninth and last goal. As already remarked, Wales were
decisively beaten at all points, and, though with a more capable
goalkeeper the score might have been less, the disparity between the two
teams was most marked.
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